Talking to Your Kids about Bullying

Mom-Middle-School

Children that are bullied can become depressed, suffer health problems and have a hard time keeping their grades up in school. No one wants their child to be the target of a bully and there are many things that parents can do to help prevent bullying.

The first step is to make sure that kids know what bullying is and that it is never acceptable. Also, give your child strategies to avoid bullies such as staying close to an adult or groups of other kids. If they are bullied, let them know that it is OK to stand up to a bully. Telling bullies to "stop" what they are doing directly and confidently can often put an end to the situation. If not, make sure your child knows to speak to a trusted adult if they or someone they know is being bullied.

In addition to these suggestions, it is important to keep the lines of communication open between you and your child so you know what is going on at school, on the bus or during after school activities. Spending 15 minutes a day talking with your child can reassure them that they can talk to you if they have a problem. Here are some questions to ask:

What was one good thing that happened today? Any bad things?

What is lunch time like at your school? Who do you sit with? What do you talk about?

What is it like to ride the school bus?

Describe what kids who bully are like. Why do you think people bully?

Who are the adults you trust most when it comes to things like bullying?

What do you usually do when you see bullying going on?

Do you ever see kids at your school being bullied by other kids? How does it make you feel?

What are you good at?

What do you like best about yourself?

In addition to having daily conversations with your child, parents should model how to treat others with respect. By treating others with kindness and respect, adults can demonstrate that there is no place for bullying.